2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Ohio
[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 58 schools to find the best return on investment for early childhood education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in early childhood education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
For return on investment in early childhood education, no school beat Cuyahoga Community College District this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $11,564 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $30,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,564 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $20,710. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $30,102. Set against $20,710 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Ash. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,904. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $15,625. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $29,867. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public school located in the suburb of Batavia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,639, compared with $13,871 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $29,867. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt.
Owens Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,870, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $22,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Youngstown State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $29,500. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $49,025. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Tuscarawas ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Students borrow a median of $21,637 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Kent State University At Tuscarawas earn a median of $36,464 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $25,432 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $36,483 early in their careers. Set against $25,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Hocking College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $10,290. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $16,535 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Hocking College earn a median of $37,713 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland State University came in at #11 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $39,226 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Kent State University At Salem placed #12 among the best values for early childhood education. Kent State University At Salem is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $21,637. Early Childhood Education graduates of Kent State University At Salem earn a median of $38,274 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Toledo landed the #13 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $24,100 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $39,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Mount St Joseph ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,150. Students borrow a median of $28,343 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of College Of Mount St Joseph earn a median of $69,964 early in their careers. Set against $28,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Central State University earned the #15 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,058, while out-of-state students pay about $10,058. Students borrow a median of $31,318 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Central State University generally make around $27,388. That is a strong return on a $31,318 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent placed #16 among the best values for early childhood education. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $21,637. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $31,139. That is a strong return on a $21,637 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in early childhood education this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $23,050 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $34,983 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $19,545. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $45,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Muskingum University placed #19 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the rural area of New Concord, Muskingum University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,701. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $25,215. Early Childhood Education graduates of Muskingum University earn a median of $35,861 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Muskingum University admits about 82% of applicants.
Heidelberg University earned the #20 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Tiffin, Heidelberg University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Heidelberg University generally make around $42,334. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Heidelberg University admits about 86% of applicants.
Lake Erie College came in at #21 for value in early childhood education this year. Lake Erie College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Painesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,634. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $31,000. Early Childhood Education graduates of Lake Erie College earn a median of $65,474 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lake Erie College admits about 70% of applicants.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,193 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $53,377. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Otterbein University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,548 in tuition and fees. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Otterbein University generally make around $38,651. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Stautzenberger College Maumee earned the #24 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the suburb of Maumee, Stautzenberger College Maumee is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,699 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,219 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Stautzenberger College Maumee earn a median of $31,186 early in their careers. Set against $21,219 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ashland University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,210. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Early Childhood Education graduates of Ashland University earn a median of $28,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for early childhood education this year:
More Early Childhood Education Rankings
View All Early Childhood Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
